2008 Woodie Awards
Sudanese refugee makes new life at SJSU
Eric Zimmerling
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
Jongkuch finally made it to Kakumu, a refugee camp several miles from the border of Kenya nearly a year later in 1992 where he would try and make a life for himself over the next nine years.
Jongkuch attended school from first-grade all the way through high school with virtually no supplies available in the poverty stricken country of Kenya.
"Ten students would share one book," Jongkuch said. "Notebooks were cut in half and shared. We would only have pencils if we had received some from the United Nations."
While living in Kenya, Jongkuch met his cousin Panther Ajak Mayem. Even with Jongkuch's hard work in school and discovery of his cousin Panther, Jongkuch said Kenya was a very difficult place to live.
"Living in Kenya was real tough. It is desert, you can't see a green leaf anywhere. The dust blows all day long so you needed to put clothes on your face so that you can breathe. Cars needed headlights during the day, but all of this was not as dangerous as the threat of rebel militia killing me¬ - because if they see me, they're going to kill me."
Jongkuch said he and the people in his village would receive food from the United Nations every two weeks while in Kenya, yet it only lasted a week if they were lucky.
"Me, Panther and five others would form a seven-person group and share our food so that it would last longer," said Jongkuch.
Jongkuch said his life changed drastically in 2001 when he caught a break from the The United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Jongkuch said the UNHCR, in cooperation with the United States, offered 16,000 refugees an opportunity to come to the United States. They were to be interviewed on educational skills, personality trait, and goals in the future.
He said a process of eight interviews was held at numerous refugee camps in Kenya. Jongkuch was one of 4,000 people that passed the interviews and was allowed to come to the United States with very strict regulations placed upon him.
Jongkuch attended school from first-grade all the way through high school with virtually no supplies available in the poverty stricken country of Kenya.
"Ten students would share one book," Jongkuch said. "Notebooks were cut in half and shared. We would only have pencils if we had received some from the United Nations."
While living in Kenya, Jongkuch met his cousin Panther Ajak Mayem. Even with Jongkuch's hard work in school and discovery of his cousin Panther, Jongkuch said Kenya was a very difficult place to live.
"Living in Kenya was real tough. It is desert, you can't see a green leaf anywhere. The dust blows all day long so you needed to put clothes on your face so that you can breathe. Cars needed headlights during the day, but all of this was not as dangerous as the threat of rebel militia killing me¬ - because if they see me, they're going to kill me."
Jongkuch said he and the people in his village would receive food from the United Nations every two weeks while in Kenya, yet it only lasted a week if they were lucky.
"Me, Panther and five others would form a seven-person group and share our food so that it would last longer," said Jongkuch.
Jongkuch said his life changed drastically in 2001 when he caught a break from the The United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Jongkuch said the UNHCR, in cooperation with the United States, offered 16,000 refugees an opportunity to come to the United States. They were to be interviewed on educational skills, personality trait, and goals in the future.
He said a process of eight interviews was held at numerous refugee camps in Kenya. Jongkuch was one of 4,000 people that passed the interviews and was allowed to come to the United States with very strict regulations placed upon him.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Julie Sparks
posted 2/16/07 @ 11:56 AM EST
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your compelling article about Deng Jongkuch. It was an extremely engaging and inspiring human interest story, but more importantly, the article should bring this serious issue of the genocide in Darfur to a new audience. (Continued…)
Kola Boof
posted 3/21/07 @ 12:25 AM EST
Oyeeeee! Oyeeeeee! This message is from Kola Boof to my handsome young brother, Deng Jongkuch--I AM PROUD OF YOU, KING!!!! You are doing good works, you are standing tall and strong, you are moving forward and keeping hope alive for the lost path of the Cattlemen. (Continued…)
Nick Soriano
posted 3/22/07 @ 4:29 PM EST
I am proud to know Deng and honored to be friends with him. He is one of the most friendly and kind people i have ever met. Deng's life story is an inspiration to all those dealt with bad cards in life and motivation to strive for better and stick with your education. (Continued…)
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